Strength-duration curve: a measure for assessing sensory deficit in peripheral neuropathy.

By using an isolated constant current stimulator producing true square-wave pulses, sensory strength-duration curves were obtained at various sites by percutaneous electrical stimulation. Strength-duration curves derived from normal groups were compared to those of patients with peripheral neuropathy. Stimulus strength at sensory threshold was shown to be a reproducible measure of sensory deficit, increasing parallel to the degree of axonal failure found by conventional methods. This may be useful as a complementary method in assessing peripheral neuropathy.